I resided in Los Angeles, CA for four years, during which time I discovered and fell in love with Trader Joe's. It changed the way I shop, the way myself and my family ate, it changed the way I view a grocery store. Food can be fun! Frozen food can be healthy! The revelation changed my whole lifestyle and I lost 40 lbs because healthy food was so affordable and accessable. I was born and raised in Portland, Maine so it was inevitable that I would return in 2008. While I am thrilled to be "home", I have not enjoyed a grocery store visit since leaving CA, how I miss Trader Joe's! I promise you that it would have my patronage, and that of my friends and family. It is a wonderful resource, with an amazing produce and great policies, and it would certainly attribute to our health and happiness by providing healthy, approachable and honest food (most of the time free of preservatives) at a price we can afford. Please, please help bring Trader Joe's to Portland so I can finally enjoy food shopping again! Thank you for you time and effort in this matter. Respectfully, Taryn Shaw